Walker’s Defense on Right Track

After two games, UCLA’s defense has given up 26 first downs, 471 yards and three touchdowns. The numbers are much better than they were after two games last season when the Bruins had given up 39 first downs, 657 yards and six touchdowns.

It’s this improved play under first-year defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker that has boosted UCLA’s confidence heading into the start of Pacific 10 Conference play.

“It’s only two games, but it definitely feels great to know that we have the No. 1 defense in the conference,” junior safety Dennis Keyes said about the Bruins, who lead the league in fewest yards allowed (235.5) and rushing yards allowed (82.5) per game.

“It shows that all of our hard work is starting to pay off. Everything Coach Walker has been teaching us and emphasizing is starting to show results. That’s keeping guys motivated and focused.”

One area where UCLA’s defense does need improvement in is forced turnovers. Only Washington has created fewer turnovers in the conference than the Bruins, who have two interceptions and two fumbles recovered this season.

UCLA spent extra practice time this week working on stripping the football.

“You can’t assume that they know, you have to show them exactly what you want,” Walker said about the extra drills the Bruins performed this week.

“I let them know that every day is an interview. ... You have to keep stressing what you want, coach up their mistakes and the things that they do well.”

Walker’s NFL background has also helped get his players’ attention. Before being hired by UCLA, Walker coached with the Washington Redskins, New York Giants and New England Patriots.

“He has been teaching us a lot of stuff that he learned in the NFL,” Keyes said about Walker, who also coaches UCLA’s secondary. “Now, when I watch an NFL game, I notice the things that he talks about. You can see how in the NFL, it is just second nature to them and they do it every play.”

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In high school, catching punts were never a problem for junior wide receiver Marcus Everett when he played at Chaminade Prep in West Hills. It was something that he enjoyed and something that he did so well, it became second nature.

But when Everett got his first opportunity to return a punt for UCLA this season, he fumbled his only chance against Rice. Although he’s still in contention to be the No. 1 returner, Everett may not get a chance this week at Washington. Coach Karl Dorrell said he will start off with freshman Terrence Austin and then go to sophomore Ryan Graves as UCLA’s punt returners.

Dorrell did not exclude Everett from the group.

“No, not at all,” he said. “We’re in good shape. I know Ryan Graves is really good at it and we’re going to give him an opportunity. He’s been wanting to do it since last year and we’re going to give him that opportunity. So we’re going to use those two primarily with Marcus, we’ll see. He’s still learning the technique we are trying to teach him so we are going to continue to work at it.”

In high school, Everett caught punts with his hands away from his body as if he were still playing wide receiver. Dorrell wants him to cradle his arms when catching punts, which puts returners in better position to deal with bobbles.

“It’s different, but I’m getting it down now,” Everett said.

Graves, from Pasadena Muir High, has not caught a pass at UCLA.

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Redshirt freshman wide receiver Jamil Turner, a native of Graham, Wash., is included on UCLA’s 64-man travel roster for Saturday’s game. ... Dorrell is 3-0 in Pac-10 openers, with each win coming against Washington. Since 1990, the Huskies are 47-18-1 at home vs. Pac-10 opponents, but are 0-8 at Husky Stadium the last two seasons.

lonnie.white@latimes.com